A case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in a backyard flock in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Maryland Department of Agriculture has quarantined all affected premises and birds on the properties are being or have been depopulated to prevent further spread.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that can be spread through contact with infected poultry, wild birds, equipment, and even clothing. Backyard flock owners in Maryland are required to register their flocks to help protect the state’s poultry industries from diseases like HPAI.
To reduce the risk of transmission, backyard flock owners should take key biosecurity steps, including reporting suspected sick birds, cleaning and disinfecting transportation, removing loose feed, keeping visitors to a minimum, washing hands before and after contact with live poultry, and changing clothes before entering poultry areas. The Maryland Department of Agriculture recommends following these practices to prevent the spread of HPAI.
The risk of transmission between birds and the general public is low, but individuals who work directly with poultry or dairy farms may be at higher risk. To minimize this risk, they should follow biosecurity principles and take additional precautions.
For more information on avian influenza and how to protect your backyard flock, visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s website at https://mda.maryland.gov/Pages/AvianFlu.aspx
Source: https://news.maryland.gov/mda/press-release/2025/01/30/preliminary-testing-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-a-montgomery-county-backyard-flock